[Use of clinical ultrasound in primary care: Multicenter prospective study].

Objective: The objective was to describe the characteristics of the use of clinical ultrasound in two health centers (SC) of Health Area VII of the Region of Murcia (CS Murcia-Sur and CS Floridablanca).

Design: Observational, descriptive, longitudinal, prospective and multicenter study. SITE: CS Murcia-Sur and CS Floridablanca (Health Area VII of the Region of Murcia).

Participants: One hundred and thirty-five patients were included.

Interventions: Performance of clinical ultrasound in the primary care (PC) consultation.

Main Measurements: Demographic variables (age, sex), as well as clinical variables (reason for consultation, type of ultrasound, results, referrals to the second hospital level, degree of diagnostic agreement) were collected.

Results: One hundred and thirty-five patients were included, more than 50% were female. The main reason for consultation was musculoskeletal and soft tissue symptoms (44.4%), followed by digestive symptoms (21.5%). 44.4% of the ultrasounds were classified as normal, while pathological findings were found in 55.6%. Confirmatory tests were requested in 43.7% and the findings were confirmed in 67% of the patients.

Conclusions: The use of ultrasound in PC allows to show the high prevalence of pathological findings in the examination of patients. In a technique that helps the clinician in his diagnostic-therapeutic process. The integration of clinical ultrasound in the PC consultation can save complementary studies and referrals to a second level of care. Its implementation in PC requires proper training of professionals.